For centuries, Thai men have covered their bodies with protective tattoos. Old temple murals show epic scenes of swords breaking apart when hitting a tattooed soldier’s skin. The tradition was handed down by generations of both monks and laymen who create the talismanic, protective tattoos and empower them with prayers.
This short - 4:34 minute cut of the film uses footage shot between 2008 and 2014, it shows the tattooing process and ceremonies attached to the tradition, as well as the state of trance, or “Khong Khuen” , tattooed devotees enter when “possessed” by the spirit of their tattoos. The full version of the film will be released at a later date. For more info on the photographic project Yantra: The Sacred Ink, as well as exhibitions please visit this page: cedricarnold.com/portfolio/photographs/yantra-the-sacred-ink/
The film is currently on show at Musée du quai Branly ( quaibranly.fr ) - Until Oct 2015
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